Cuff button



' March 22 1927.

J. A. WlLLIAMS CUFF BUTTON Filed Sept. 8. 1925 IN W5 A! TOR Patented Mar. 22,1927.

D rST-A TES ar EMT orricss JOHN A; 'WILLIAMS, or RICHMoNnHIL -NEW YORK:

, U BUTT-01$ -App1icationfiler1 September 8,1925. Serial No, 54,893.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a folding cufiPbutt n which can be very easily inserted in, and removed from, the buttonholes of a cufli, and which shall be very strong and hold reliably, which" shall achieve excellence of appearance, which is.

b'uttons and cuff-links now on the market,

7 possessing less advantage. With these ends 1 in view, the invention may be said "to comprise the novel matters of construction, combination and relatiom'in the novel device or article of manufacture, which will ,now 'be described with reference to two embodiments, and whichwill be more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In. the accompanying drawings, forming part thereof Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the cull-button in its closed position.

"Fig.2is a similar viewwith the parts in the position'they wouldassume when the cult-button is being inserted into the end.

Fig. 3 is an end view with the parts in the same position as Figure 2. V

Fig. '4 is atop plan view wit-lithe parts in the same position as Figure 1. p

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view,the

lower part being in elevation, and the cufibutton in its'closed position.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Figure'5, with the cuff-button partly opened.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view on :the line 7-7 of Figure 1;,and e i Fig. Sis a. view partly in :elevation and partly in'section of a modified form,

"The cufi'doutton has a 'basepart 2,9the shape of which may be'varied. "Rigid with the middleofthe base partis a post 3. This post might be in onepiece with the part 2, as 'farasthe' invention 'isconcerned, and is preferably made hollow,- in a suitable manner, topresent a rectangular or oblong crosssection. The part '2 will be termedior con;

A venience a; base, and the mechanical pa'rt',

to be'desoribed, a head; but it will be underf stood that the base? may be given an ornamental treatment so as to constituteit the front of the cuff-button in point of appearor bothfofthe members. l V Thus,the arms 5 jcompris'efea'ch, two sides ance,while the part 4 may. be-in appearance the ornamental head, o'r it maybe merely a retaining cross-bar suitable to be placed at the inner side of cuff; or'again both parts may receive ornamental treatment or be so finished that it will be a matter oi": choice with the user howthe articleis worn in th'e cuff. It is most'advantageou s ior'manutacture, and jalso desirable foifappearance, that the part 4have the shape'of abar, butI do not necessarily limit mysel'ffinjfthis re-f spect. 1 The part comprises a pair of primary members or arms 5, the inner ends of which I are pivoted to the upper portion of, the-post 3, on.pins 6; and a pair of locking thrust members 7, which are pivoted to the outer portions of the arms 5, on pins 8. In the condition of servi'c'eshown inFigsI 1, 4' and 5, the members 5 and 7 lie together so that an apparently and virtually solid, or single cross arm or cross head 'structurefis formed; This is important both for appearance and for strength. This construction is best se cured by arranging the members 5 and 7 to fit lengthwise on within the other, and especiallyi'by the utilizationioft aUsection in one or flanges 9 and a bottom or connecting bridge" 10, the-whole beingadapted to'be cut and formed economic-ally from sheet metal} The bottom bridge lO is cut away fromiboth ends ofeach arm, or, stated otherwise, the

side flanges 9 are extended atboth ends bel yond the bottom, forming two pairs of horns 11' and 13; jThe horns 11 at the. inner ends of the arms embrace'the post, and the pivot pins 6 pass through them andthrongh the post. The inneri ends 12 ott thebridges $10 constitutegjstops whichprevent the arms from'sagging below the transverse position,

Thefmembers 7 liej'substantially within and preferably flush with, the members 5, andjalre preferably, thoughnot necessarily likewise fof channel section, having continu oustops, and edge flanges 14 on the under side,-which'receive the-pivots 8, and desirably taper. toward the locking endsl5. J

Y Inf'this'embodiment the upper portion ,16

of the post-is interposed asan abutmentjor ,abutmentsbetween the free ends 15 for the members 7 Thus, the lateral corners of the post are, notched in a ,s uitable manner, as

indicated at 17 to form abutment seats for the said ends, against which the thrust members will bear endwise to lock the structure by greatly multiplied pressure against any force acting away from the base 2, the locking being the stronger the greater the force tending to collapse the structure. The points through the pivots 8.

V in the service position, so as to form unlocking ears 18. Pressure of the finger and thumb on these extensions toward the base 2 releases the look, so that the members 5 and 7 can be straightened out substantially in line with the post 3, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3. The relations are such that the two halves of the mechanism, when straightened out" or extended in this manner, match together to form a sort of needle or spike, which threads easily through the holes of the cuff. The recesses between the outer horns 13 of the arms 5 accommodate the unlocking ears 18 of the member 7 when the parts are swung from the service position to the threading position, and vice-versa.

The several relatively movable parts are fitted together tightly so as to provide fairly t stifi frictional resistance to change of position. In case of wear, this frictional stiffness can be easily restored by pinching.

Suchv friction will initself prevent any accidental opening of the look. For further security, however, the top or face of each ofthe abutment seats 17 is slightly undercut, or overhung, as indicated, so as to oppose disengagement. The efiect is best obtained when the length of the members 7 between their pivots 8 and their ends 15 is slightly longer than the distance to the maximum overhangof the abutment, so that the members 7 must be forced into and out of locking positions with something of a snap action.

The construction shown in Fig. 8, bears a general resemblance to the preferred device which has been described. A base is marked 22 a post 3, arms '5 thrust members 7 the pivots '76 and 8 7 The chief difference is thatrthe ends 15 of the members 7 abut I against each other on top of thepost,-in-

stead of abutting endwise against the post as in: the other construction. In a form of this kind, I do not necessarily limit myself to the ends 15 being free ends, but free locking ends are highly advantageous for reasons of simplicity,compactness, neatnessand general effectiveness. In this form if oneside of the cross head is unlocked,

both sides are unlocked; but in the preferred form, where free ends of the members 7 abut against fixed abutment on the post, either side will remain locked even though th other side should become unlocked.

V The modified constructionis unlocked by pressing on the extensions 18 of the members 5 and the two halves of the cross head may then be straightened out and brought together in line with the post, for. insertion in, or removal from, the cuff, as in the other form. When the parts are in the service position, they nest or interfit in the manner which has been described, so as to make a strong and practically unitary cross arm.

The designs of both forms is such that they can be made of sheet metal, which is a substantial advantage for economical manufacture and likewise for appearance.

Still other forms, changes and embodiments are within the scope of the invention.

'One of the advantages of the invention results from the fact the plan permits of the post being quite short, causingthe cuffbutton to hold the sides of the cuff closely giving a nice effect. When the button is unlocked by depressing the ears 18 or 18 the ears will not rub the fabric so as to cause wear, because the arms .5 or 5 will simultaneously swing upward so as to carry the ears away from-the cuff. The members 7 and 7 add length to the device when in the threading position, so as to facilitate insertion of the cud-button.

What I claim as new is; V

1. A cuff-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivot-ed to said post, and a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to t-he outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise from the post or'to be folded together laterally, each arm member and its thrust member lying together in the latter condition so as to form a virtually solidcross head on the post. I

2. A cuff-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, and a pair of locking thrust" members pivoted to the outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extendedendwise from the post or to be folded together laterall the arm members and thrust members being. adapted to be received and lie one within the other the latter condition so that .a virtually solid cross head isfo'rmed.

3. A cud-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, and a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to the outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extendedendwise from the post or to be folded together laterally, the members having a resumes to said post, and a pair-"of locking'thrust members pivotedtothe outer portions "of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwisexfrom the post'or to befolded together 'laterally,"'thearm'members-having'a substantially Use'ction in which the thrustmem-- bers lie in the folded or adjusted condition. 5. A cuttb'utton,comprisinga base part,

a fixed-*post a pair of a'rm members pivoted-to-said post; and-a pair of locking thrust-"member'spivoted to the outer portions of said arm members, the'arm mem bers and--thrust-members-adapted to be extended endwise from the post or to be folded together laterally, the arm members having a substantially U section between the sides of which the thrust members fit, the said sides extending at the inner end beyond the bottom of the section to embrace a portion of the post to which they are pivoted.

6. A cuff-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, and a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to the outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise from the post or to be folded together laterally, the arm members having a substantially U section between the sides of which the thrust members fit, the said sides extending at, the inner end beyond the bottom of the section to embrace a portion of the post to Which they are pivoted,

the inner. end of the bottom of each arm constituting a stop abutting the post in the adjusted position.

7 A cuff-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, and' a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to the outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise fromthc post or to'be folded together laterally, the arm members having, a substantially U section in their intermediateportions, the said sides extending at both ends. beyond the bottom bridge of the sec 'tion, the inner ends of the sides having the thrust members pivoted between them, the said thrust members beingextended beyond their pivots to form unlocking ears which project at the outer ends of the arms in the adjusted position.

8. A culf-button, comprising a base part,

a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to the outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise lockingends'. I

10. A cud-button, comprising a base part,-

from the post orto' be folded together lat-r erally and 'unlocking'means compr singpor tions of said thrust members*beyond their pivots projecting-in the folded or adjusted" position.

r 9. A'cufi button, comprising a base part, a fixed post; a pan-"of arm memberspvoted to saidpost, and a pair of locking-thrust members pivoted to the outer" portions of saidarm-"members, the 'arin members andr thrust members adapted-to be extended endwise frointhe postor to be folded-together members having free laterally, :said thrust a fixedpost-,-a pairof'arinmembers'piv oted =to said post; and -a pair of locking- V thrust members pivoted 1 to the outer por tions of said arm members, the arm 'm'embers and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise from the post or to be folded together laterally, said thrust members having free ends which abut against the post.

11. A cuif-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, and a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to the outer portions of said arm members,- the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwlse from the post or to be folded together laterally, said. thrust members having free ends, and said fixed post having an interposed abutment.

12. A cuff-button, comprising a base part, fixed post, a pair of'arm members pivoted to said post, and a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to the outer portions of sald arm members, the, arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise from the post or to be folded together laterally, said thrust members having free ends, and said fixed post'having notched abutment seats for said members.

13. A cuff-button, comprising a basepart, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, and apair of locking thrust members pivoted to the outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be'extended endwise from the post or to be folded together laterally, said thrustv members having free ends, and said fixed post atfordingabutment for said members, together with means for snap engagement between said members and post. 7 r I 14. A cuff-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, apair of arm members pivoted to said post, and a pair of locking thrust members pivoted to-rthe outer portions of said arm members, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended-end- Wise from the post or to be folded together laterally, said thrust members having free ,ends, and said fixed post having an inter- 15. A cuff-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, and a-pair of locking thrust ,members pivoted to the outer portions of said arms and having free locking ends, the, arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endvvise from the post or to be folded together laterally, each arm member and its thrust member lying together in the latter condition so as to form a virtually solid cross head on the post.

16. A cuff-button, comprising a base part, a fixed post, a pair of arm members pivoted to said post, a pair of locking thrust'members pivoted to the outer portions of said arms and having free locking ends, abutments on the fixed post for said ends, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise from the post or to be bers pivoted to the outer portions of said arms and having free locking ends, abutments on the fixed post for said ends, the arm members and thrust members adapted to be extended endwise from the post or to be folded together laterally With said thrust members in engagement with said abutments, the points of thrust lock between said members and abutments lying somewhat above and outwardly of the main pivots of the arms.

JOHN A. WILLIAMS. 

